Collapsible poultry crate



Sept. 5, 1939. 5:5 GARBER 2,171,690

" LLAPs B Filed April 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l L Q Q 1 3 3mm 6.15; Garza);

p 5, 1939. s. E. GARBER 2,171,690

COLLAPSIBLE POULTRY CRATE Filed April 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gum,

Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE COLLAPSIBLE POULTRY CRATE Samuel E. Garber, Bridgewater, Va.

Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,853

1 Claim.

This invention relates to crates used in transporting poultry, and more particularly to a construction which may be readily collapsed for return to the shipper for re-use.

While it has been heretofore proposed to provide collapsible or knock-down coops or crates, nevertheless, in actual use the majority of such devices have included parts for holding the crate together which are likely to become disassociated in dismantling or in shipment and which, therefore. become more or less of a nuisance in either collapsing the crates for return shipment or setting them up again for use. For example. many devices of this character include rods and wing nuts which hold the parts of the crate together and since it is necessary to remove the nuts in collapsing the coop, these nuts have to be placed back on the rods. This procedure usually involves the misplacement or loss of the nuts in return shipment, and moreover, the threads on the rods frequently become stripped or damaged, making the subsequent setting up of the coop dimcult;

Accordingly, the present invention has primarily in view a novel construction which eliminates the use of nuts by using a type of connector or tie wherein all of the parts are permanently associated with some part of the crate but may be readily manipulated for disconnecting or connecting the parts of the crate together. In other words the present invention contemplates. for example, a tie section carried by the top of the crate and a tie section carried by the bottom, both being detachably connected at the middle by a keeper or lock which when released permits the top to be readily disconnected from the rest of the crate so that the sides and ends may be folded toward the bottom, and the top placed over the collapsed sides and ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a practical and inexpensive type of hinge connection between the sides and ends of the crate and the bottom.

A further object is to provide simple means for applying or centering the top on the ends and sides of the crate when the said sides and ends are in their upright normal positions. That is to say, the invention contemplates the extension of the side rods of the coop above the top edges of the sides and ends to interfit with sockets in the frame of the top thereby eliminating a necessity of special interfitting parts to brace the sides with reference to the top when the coop is in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel type of connector or tie which not only holds the crate in condition for use, but which may also be used to connect the top with the collapsed bottom and sides for return shipment.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying my improvements.

Figure 1a is a detail section taken on the line X X of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken lengthwise of the crate in its collapsed condition.

Figure 4 is an end view of the crate in its collapsed condition.

Figures 5, 6 and '7 are detail views illustrating a modified form of tie or connector.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the same includes in its organization a crate comprising a top A, a bottom B, end walls or sections C, and sidewalls or sections D. In normal use the top A is releasably connected to the bottom 13 by a tie or connector designated generally as T and having an intermediate fastener F which may be manipulated to break the tie at the middle to release the top from the bottom for collapsing, or on the other hand may be so manipulated as to connect the parts of the tie for holding the several parts of the crate in the condition shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bottom B of the crate has the end sections C and side sections D attached thereto in a novel manner. For example, the ends of the bottom are provided with battens or strips l whose upper inner corners 2 are rounded or cut-away throughout their length (see Fig. 1a), while at spaced intervals the batten is cut-away, as indicated at 3, to receive a strap 4 of substantially U-shaped formation and carried by the lower frame element of the end wall. This frame element may be left square at its lower, inner edge as indicated at 6, but since the upper edge of batten l is cut-away, as stated, the end section C comprising the lower frame part 5, upper frame part I and the rods 8 may easily swing downwardly in flush folded relation with the bottom B when the crate is collapsed.

The side edges of the part B are provided with the strips I which are preferably rectangular in cross-section and are provided at suitable intervals with the inverted U-strips 4 which operate in the cut-away portions 9 of the lower frame part ID of the side section D. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower inner corner ll] of the frame part 10 is rounded throughout its length so as to permit the side section D to fold inwardly when it is desired to collapse the crate.

Due to the fact that the side sections D are mounted to swing at a higher elevation than the end sections C, it will be apparent as shown in Figures 3 and 4 that the side sections will overlie the end sections when the crate is collapsed. The top section A may then be placed on the folded side sections 0 and D and all of the sections held.

together by the fastener F of the novel tie T, as will later appear, for reshipment.

Referring now to the crate itself in normal condition as shown in Figure 1, it may be pointed out that certain of the rods or posts 3 of the end sections C may be extended above the frame part,

I as indicated at 8 thereby to fit into suitable sockets formed in-the underside of the frame constituting the top A. Also, certain of the rods or posts ii of the side sections may have their upper ends i l extended through the top rail 22 of the side section to engage suitable sockets in" of the top A is provided with a suitable support E5 in the form of an eye or staple or its equivalent for'supporting the upper link 16 or the tie T. 'Ihe'lower link ll; of the'tie is anchored to a suitable fastening lll preferably fitted in the bottom corner of the crate. As will be apparent from Figure 2, for example, the preferred form of tie or connector T has its upper link I 6-. provided with a terminal eye H5 while the lower and. shorter link if carries therewith the releasable fastener F intended to engage in the-said eye IS. The releasable fastener F is preferably in the form of a cam loop 20 pivotally connected to the upper free end of the lower link l, and, as previously explained, is intended to pass through the eye Et of the upper link thereby to draw the link I6 downwardly. The free end 2| of the cam loop 28 is provided with a hook for engaging the body f the link it thereby to hold the loopin-locked position. position shown in Figure 2 the top and bottom of the crate will be firmly locked together.

sary to release the hook 2| fromgripping engagethe links i5 and H to becomeloose on their respective supports l5 and I8. cam loop Ed of the fastener F is permanently connected to the link I! and each of the links is permanently but loosely connected to its support, it will be apparent that all parts of the tieor connector are permanently associated With parts of the crate so that they cannot become de- I ciated with the saidtop. and bottom wallsan eye tached and lost.

To permit of using the cam loop 20 to connect 1 the top A with the bottom B; having the sides and ends collapsed therebetween, the opposite ends of the frame parts 5 of the ends C are cut back as indicated at 5*. Thus, the relatively short lower link 8'! having the fastener F thereon may be moved upwardlyso that the latter may engage about one of the rods on the top A as shown in Fig. 3. In this condition of parts, the

longer upper link 86 may be swung to a position between the top and side of-the crate so as to be held against dangling about when the fastener F is performing this function. It will be accordingly apparent that the fastener F may perform the dual function of holding the top and When the tie or connector'is in the When it is desired to collapse the crate it is only neces-- Inasmuch as the bottom of the crate together when the same is set up for use or collapsed for return shipment.

Figures 5-6 and Figure 7 illustrate different forms of connectors or ties respectively designated as T1, T2. In every case the tie consists of two sections which are respectively connected to the top and bottom of the crate, while an intermediate fastener or lock is provided.

In the form shown in Figure 5 the connector includes the links 22 and 23, the former having an enlarged eye 22 for receiving an offset eye 24 of the link 23. The shank of the link 23 is providedwith a sliding cotter key 25 which may pass upwardly through the offset eye 24 when the parts 22 and 24 are engaged thereby to be spread apart as shown in Figure 5 to fasten or secure the links 22 and 23 together; By releasing the key 25 it will be apparent that the links may be separated to release the top and bottom sections of the crate.

Figure '7 shows the tie T2 as comprising the links and whose upper and lower ends are respectively permanently connected to the top and bottom of the crate while the fastener designated generally as F2 consists of a slotted plate adapted to be engaged by the cam type lever 23 of a buckle member carried by the link 21.

By selectively engaging the lever 29 with any of the slots in the plate 23 the links may be drawn together, in the well known manner, to connect the and bottom of the crate.

In connection with the type of connectors T,

T1, and T2, it will be apparent that the upper and lower ends of the tie are permanently connected to the top and bottom of the crate respectively while various types of intermediate fastenersmay be used. And, in the case of the connector T it serves to connect the top and bottom" when the crate is'opened up for use or collapsed, thereby atall times, providing elements associated with the crate tohold the top and bottom together.

Without further description itis thought that the features and advantages of theinvention will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the-form, proportion and minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to,- without departing from. the spirit of the invention andscope'ofthe appended claim.

I. claim: f

In a, collapsible. crate including. rigid top, bottom, side and end -walls, said top-wall including cross rods, means for holdingsaid walls-in assembledrelation, a connector for-lockingthe top and bottom walls together tomaintainsaid Walls in assembled relation, said connector comprising links having their outer ends permanently-assoon ,oneof said links, and afastener carried by the innenend of the other of saidlinks, saidend walls upright and maintain themin. normal position, and the scrollshaped hook when disconnected from the otherv link. being engaged.

with a cross rod of the top-wall to hold the ter: and bottom walls together in collapsed relation.

SAMUEL E. GARBER.

' link by whichit is carried to hold the side and 

